[00:01.25]Hello. I'm Rob. And this is Li.
[00:03.53]Hello.
[00:04.41]Now, the weather is so great today we're outside on the sea, sailing in this beautiful boat. So Li, what do you think?
[00:11.92]Wow, impressive. Rob, I didn't know you had a sailing boat. In fact I didn't know you could sail a boat.
[00:20.70]Oh, don't worry Li, I know what I'm doing.
[00:23.75]Oh mind that rock.
[00:24.88]Whoa,phew it's okay Li. I'm in control, just keep your hand on that rope.
[00:32.70]We've got the wind in our sails, the sea is calm. We can just easily sail around this island and be home in time for tea.
[00:41.11]Oh right. I thought our excursion was going to be trouble free, or plain sailing.
[00:49.67]What? Plain sailing? We're not sailing any planes Li.
[00:54.73]No Rob. Plain sailing. It's an expression used to describe an activity that goes well or smoothly and is easy and uncomplicated.
[01:05.60]Yes of course. This sailing is going well and it is actually quite easy. So you're right. This is plain sailing.
[01:14.00]But can we only use the phrase to describe sailing boats?
[01:17.68]No. Although it was originally a sailing term, it can really refer to any activity. Listen to these examples.
[01:27.32]Driving through the city was difficult but once we were on the motorway it was plain sailing all the way.
[01:34.61]Once we found some office space and recruited staff, setting up our business was plain sailing.
[01:42.81]So plain sailing means things are going well.
[01:46.76]I have to admit Rob, your sailing skills are very good and, oh watch out for that big wave.
[01:57.23]Whoa, ouch. Oh oh, I've hit my head on the boom. Oh no, we're heading for the rocks again. Hold the rope Li, quick quick.
[02:08.50]I've changed my mind Rob, this isn't plain sailing anymore.
[02:16.93]That's taken the wind out of your sails Rob.
[02:20.55]Err, Li it's still windy. Look at the sails.
[02:24.18]No Rob. That's another sailing idiom, to take the wind out of your sails is an expression that means your boasting and arrogance has been challenged.
[02:36.69]Let's hear some other people using this expression.
[02:40.97]I was all ready for a big argument but when he bought me some flowers it took the wind out of my sails.
[02:49.16]The negative feedback from my boss has really taken the wind out of my sails.
[02:55.52]Hmm, so Li you've certainly taught me a lot about sailing today. There are some really good expressions, but one thing you haven't taught me is how to sail this boat.
[03:05.13]But you said you knew how to sail it.
[03:08.15]Well when I said I had been sailing several times I had, but I meant on a ferry, as a passenger.
[03:15.10]Oh, watch out.
[03:22.43]That was close. I've a feeling this really isn't going to be plain sailing after all.
[03:28.00]Too right. Bye bye.
[03:30.16]Bye. Now Li could you just hold that rope there.